Why Nothing Lies Beneath

The vinyl siding was recently removed from 205-207 Warren Street. It was disappointing there was no clapboard to be found underneath and no evidence of the original size of the ground floor windows.

Since then Gossips has discovered (rediscovered in the case of one of them) two photographs that show why there was no evidence of the building's original appearance to be found under the vinyl siding. The building very likely started out as a large Federal style residence, as did so many other buildings on this block of Warren Street. By the mid-20th century, a plate glass storefront had been inserted into the eastern half of the facade. 

The picture doesn't show much of the western half of the building, but it appears from this picture, taken in the 1950s, that the western half of the facade may then still have had its original configuration. 

This picture, however, found in the visual treasure trove that is PhotobyGibson.com, shows that in 1966 there was a retail business in the western half of the building as well. 

In 1966, Columbia Wine & Liquor Store was located at 205 Warren Street, and although no photograph has been found of the exterior of the building at this time in its history, the exterior very unlikely coordinated with the interior.

Now, two decades into the 21st century, the building, which is probably close to 200 years old, is on its way to looking like this.